North end theater company uses original play to bridge age gaps

"Wheel" rehearsal

Silver Kite Community Arts’ Intergenerational Theatre Company (ITC) bridges generational gaps through its original performance of “Wheel” on February 19 and 20 at George Center for Community in Lake City.

The cast of ‘Wheel’ represents seven different decades of life, with actors aged 16 to 71. These actors used their own life experiences to devise the work. With personal stories as inspiration, the production explores life cycles, transitions and travels.

“We listen and learn from each others’ experiences and we also can see and appreciate our differences,” said cast member Robin Dawn Cherry. She hopes that sharing true stories allows the audience to relate in a more personal way.

Cast members used their life experiences
to create the production

Stigmas of what older and younger people can do, and experience, often serves as a social divider. The ITC was created to bridge this gap and offer actors the opportunity to create with others of various ages. “I definitely overcame some perceptions when the other actors suggested I play other roles like them or their relative,” said Cherry.

Performances are February 19 at 7pm and February 20 at 2pm and 7pm at George Center for Community, 2212 NE 125th St, Seattle, just west of Lake City Way.

Tickets start at $10. Purchase tickets and more information here. Advance Tickets can be purchased through Brown Paper Tickets.

‘Wheel’ will tour to Puget Sound area retirement centers, libraries, schools and community centers on intermittent Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays February 22 to April 30, 2016. 

“It is so important that we be able to bring this show to members of our community who may be living far from family and friends, or who are isolated from activities and experiences they love,” said cast member Meredith Berlin.

Silver Kite launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to offer free and discounted performances of Wheel to venues that may not otherwise afford it. Interested patrons can donate online. Silver Kite’s first ITC production, ‘A String,’ was enjoyed by over 500 people at local retirement communities, hospitals and senior centers in the fall.